MHEW Training & Networking

1. Mental Health Leads' - Training & Networking

There will be three face to face opportunities to train for Mental Health Leads in the 2023-24 academic year - in the autumn, spring, summer terms. Details coming soon.

Mental Health Leads Programme

Over 200 staff are working as MH Leads in East Sussex schools and colleges, championing improvements in understanding and practice around MHEW, and embedding an organisation-wide approach. 

To support our MH Leads, we offer regular training on the 8 key themes of a whole school approach.

DfE funding for WSA

You can apply for a senior mental health lead training grant to commence training up to 31 March 2024. Course dates for the academic year 2023-24 will be advised shortly.

The MHEW in Education team delivers a DfE grant-assured training course code at Beginner level, suitable for MH Leads in primary and secondary schools who are new to the role and/or have not previously completed senior mental health leadership training.
Our course code is SMHL061

You can use this tool to assess your learning level to help identify appropriate training from a directory of providers.

Course Outline

COHORT 5

All sessions on Teams from 13.00-15.00. 

Themes 1 & 2: Leadership and Management; Ethos and Environment

Wednesday 29 March 2023.

Course objectives:
• to understand the benefits of a whole school or college approach, and the purpose and expectations of the senior mental health lead role
• to explore factors important to lead strategic change to implement an effective whole school or college approach
• To develop a MHEW team, strategy, policies and plans
• To be able to connect different policies and processes (equality & diversity, bullying & harassment, behaviour and safeguarding) to ensure they are working together to support wellbeing
• To understand how to create an ethos and conditions that support positive behaviours for learning and for successful relationships to provide an emotionally secure and safe environment that prevents any form of bullying or violence

Themes 3 & 4: Staff wellbeing & Development; Curriculum, Teaching & Learning

Thursday 18 May 2023.

Course objectives:
• to use evidence-based approaches for supporting their own, staff and pupil or student MH and resilience, such as trauma informed, counselling, mindfulness and other approaches, and the role these can play as part of a holistic approach
• to identify and utilise tools, strategies and resources to confidently engage staff to help promote and support their mental health and wellbeing
• facilitate development of school staff, identifying critical training, supporting learning needs, and ensuring that all staff can recognise and understand the process to respond to mental health concerns
• To learn about the MHEW content in the statutory health education curriculum in schools (PSHE and RSHE programmes), and associated guidance on the safe teaching of difficult mental health issues, including the importance of close collaboration with leads for child protection/pastoral/safeguarding and SENCOs, to ensure that teaching is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of all pupils.
• to explore how to integrate MHEW into the wider curriculum to support outcomes for pupils and students.

Themes 5 & 6 - Assessing need & monitoring impact; Targeted Support 

Course objectives:

• To explore reasons and tools for assessing MHEW in pupils, and how to tailor learning accordingly
• To set up systems for recording, analysing and using data to improve MHEW teaching and support
• To develop a system of graduated support for MHEW needs both within school/college, and understand local support service provision and how to access this
• To discuss structures for support and decision-making processes for yp referrals

Themes 7 & 8 - Student voice; engaging with parents and carers

Course objectives:

• To explore how your pupils/students are involved in:

1) decision-making, policy development, staff appointments,

2) actively shaping your curriculum, practices & interventions,

3) taking responsibility for aspects of school/college life

4) contributing to staff training or CPD around MHEW.

• To explore your organisation's relationships with parents/carers and how to maximise engagement.

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